The Original Essence of Chicken

7 Caffeine-free Ways to Boost Your Energy Levels

You’re a few hours away from the end of the work day when sleepiness kicks in. You nod away at your desk, struggling to stay awake. You then stagger into the pantry, desperate for a quick caffeine fix to snap back into life.

Working professionals would find the above scenario all too familiar. Finding hope in a cuppa to power you through the day has become a daily ritual that many can’t do without. But is coffee really the easy way out?

It doesn’t have to be. Because there are caffeine-free foods out there which you can add to your daily diet. Not only do they help to keep your energy levels up throughout the day, they also provide both your body and mind with essential nutrition.

1. Go nuts

Grab some cashew nuts, almonds or hazelnuts the next time you’re at the supermarket. High in magnesium and protein, these nuts work by helping to convert sugar into energy. Eat them as they are as a cholesterol-free snack or sprinkle some over your salad for extra crunch.

2. Apply lemon-aid

Cut a few slices of lemon, add them to a glass of water and what you’ll get is a quick, energising drink. Electrolytes from the lemon slices are vital for the production of energy in cells. With its light and refreshing taste, this drink is also an excellent thirst-quencher.

3. Chicken in a tablet

Containing a dual-action formula that helps to improve mental alertness and concentration, BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken with Vitamin B Complex + Iron is a tablet-form supplement suited for busy professionals. Vitamin B Complex aids in energy production to support brain function and a healthy nervous system, while Iron assists in the formation of haemoglobin in red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body.

4. Rice to the occasion

Brown rice to be exact. This type of whole grain rice is rich in the mineral manganese, which helps to create energy from protein and carbohydrates. Switch out refined white rice for the more wholesome brown rice, as the latter retains much of its original nutritional value.

5. Eat your greens

Your mom wasn’t wrong. Greens are good for you. But do you know that leafy greens contain high levels of iron? Eating vegetables such as spinach, kale and mustard greens can help to maintain mental alertness as well as improve red blood cell circulation.

6. Just add honey

More than just a natural sweetener, honey is free of cholesterol and fat and filled with carbohydrates. It provides the body with a quick energy boost through glucose and maintains energy levels via the more slowly absorbed fructose.

7. Spilling the beans

From kidney beans, lentils and chickpeas, to green and red beans, these little pods are packed with fibre that helps to stabilise blood sugar levels and keep you feeling energised. Beans are also low in fat and cholesterol. Best of all, they can be prepared in a wide variety of ways to suit your fancy.

So the next time you’re thinking of turning to a cup of coffee, remember that you’re never short of options when it comes to energy-boosting foods.